Upcountry railway reopened, but Station Masters raise safety concerns

The Upcountry railway line was reopened on Monday (October 5) evening, after a mound of earth led to a derailment and temporary closure of the line earlier in the day.

However, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Union (SLRSMU) has alleged that operations have resumed without the approval of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).

The NBRO monitors landslides and earthslips and issues public advisories.

The SLRSMU General Secretary said that warnings had already been issued over possible earthslips and rockfalls at two other locations along the same line.

The early morning express train that derailed on Monday (October 5) was reportedly the first office train to operate between Peradeniya and Colombo Fort following the restoration of the Upcountry line, which was severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah last year.

Passengers aboard the train made their way to Rambukkana by bus, with the Railway Department arranging an additional train between Rambukkana and Colombo.